Image source: http://www.infraredsauna.com/images/is-csauna_top.jpg
Basically, infrared sauna is a device that works on the principle of heat and is usually, a wooden box or a small wooden room. The room contains infrared heaters which provide the actual infrared therapy.
Traditional saunas make use of heaters to warm the air and the rocks in the room. The rocks tend to reach extremely high temperatures when placed over the heat source and help the room maintain the heat. The average temperature of traditional saunas range from 170 degrees to 190 degrees and at times may reach above 200 degrees. So, when a person sits in these temperatures, it increases the body temperature too, thus causing the person to sweat. Some people may experience a steam shock by throwing water onto the rocks in the traditional sauna.
In contrast, the infrared saunas use different types of heaters that cause waves from the infrared and heat the body directly rather from the air. In comparison, the temperature in the room of an infrared sauna is much lower than a traditional sauna and ranges from 110 degrees to 130 degrees. This is highly beneficial since it allows people to remain in the sauna for a longer period of time. So, when the body remains in the infrared cabin for a longer period, the sweat is more and thereby, the benefit too.
In outer appearance too, infrared saunas are different in that, they do not have rocks and so, do not produce steam and look more like panels. Infrared sauna heaters heat directly without rising the temperature of the air, much like the natural sun, but without the harmful ultra violet rays.
In an infrared heater, the lower the surface temperature, the better, because when the temperature is low, the infrared wavelength will be more and the effect will be more. The temperature of an infrared sauna differs from one model of heater to another and the one which is below 480 degrees is considered to be good.
The surface area of the heater also influences the temperature because when the surface area is more; the effect will be more. This is one of the reasons why quality heaters come in panels or sheets of some types. Hence we see that the surface temperature and surface area are vital while deciding on the purchase of an infrared sauna. But people who have medical problems like cardio vascular diseases should refrain from getting exposed to high temperatures of infrared sauna.
Interestingly, since infrared saunas have lower temperatures than their traditional counter parts, there will be a significant decrease in the heat bill every month. Hence infrared sauna not only makes a person healthier, but also makes him happier, by reducing the cost of owning an infrared sauna.
